Page 80 of Porcelain Lies

Because I don’t trust Aleksei,I want to scream.Because the way he looked at me, touched me, claimed me — it wasn’t just about the money.

“It’s safer this way.” I keep my voice steady. “For both of us.”

“Safer? What aren’t you telling me about this guy?” Nick grabs my arm, forcing me to face him. “What really happened when you delivered that money?”

The memory of Aleksei’s possessive kiss floods back. I pull away from Nick’s grip.

“Nothing happened. But these people — they’re dangerous. The further you are from their world, the better.”

“And what about you? If they’re so dangerous, why are you staying?”

I swallow hard. “I have nothing they want. You’re the one who crossed them.”

The lie hangs between us. But Nick can never know how Aleksei looked at me like I belonged to him. How his touch branded me. How uncertain I am that he’ll keep his word about Nick’s safety.

“This doesn’t make sense.” Nick rakes his fingers through his hair. “There has to be another way.”

I shake my head. “This is the only way to keep you safe.”

I wrap my arms around Nick, breathing in his familiar scent. My little brother. My only family left.

“I love you, knucklehead.” My voice cracks despite my efforts to stay strong.

Nick’s arms tighten around me. “Love you too, Stels.” His shoulders shake slightly. “I’m so sorry. For everything.”

I press my face into his shoulder, memorizing this moment. The texture of his worn t-shirt. The way his chin rests on top of my head, reminding me when he first got taller than me at fourteen. The slight tremor in his breathing that matches my own.

“Stay safe.” I pull back, gripping his shoulders. “Promise me.”

“I promise.” He wipes roughly at his eyes. “You too, okay?”

I nod, not trusting my voice. Nick hefts his duffel bag, the old swim team logo faded almost beyond recognition. He takes one step back, then another.

“Bye, sis.” His voice is hoarse.

I press my lips together, fighting the urge to call him back, to tell him to stay despite Aleksei’s warning. To keep my little brother close where I can protect him.

But that’s not protection anymore. That’s selfishness.

Nick turns, his shoulders hunched under the weight of more than just his bag. His footsteps echo down the hallway, each one driving home the finality of this moment.

The lock clicks with devastating finality. My hand lingers on the doorknob, as if holding onto this last connection with my brother.

Empty silence presses against my eardrums. I turn, facing the apartment. The space feels wrong, distorted. Too big and too small at the same time.

Leaning back against the door, I slide down until I hit the floor, wrapping my arms around my knees.

“It’s just us now,” I whisper to Boyana.

“You mean just you,”she corrects.“I’m not real, remember?”

A laugh bubbles up in my throat, edged with hysteria. Right. Even my imaginary sister is reminding me how alone I am.

Everyone I love keeps disappearing. First Gianni turning out to be not the man I thought he was. Then, Dad’s accident. Then Mom’s suicide. Now Nick, forced to run because I made a deal with a devil in an expensive suit.

The silence rings in my ears, broken only by my ragged breathing.

How did my world come to this?

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